#1 of 49 #1 romance movie of 1989
1989 · Comedy, Romance
$297M worldwide · 31% of the chart's total
$140.1M US & Canada · 47% $156.9M elsewhere · 53%
Romance box office · 1989
Romance Box Office 1989: Highest-Grossing Romance Movies
Look Who's Talking (1989) is the highest-grossing romance movie released in 1989, with $297M worldwide, ahead of Sea of Love (1989) at $110.9M and Steel Magnolias (1989) at $96.8M. 49 romance films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $958.8M in all, 74% of it from the US & Canada. 2 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 31% on 1988, whose releases took $1.4B. By language, English leads with $935.6M across 44 romance releases.
- 1989 releases with a gross
- 49
- combined worldwide
- $958.8M
- films crossed $100M
- 2
- vs 1988
- −31%
#1 of 49 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Romance Hits of 1989?
Look Who's Talking (1989) leads with $297M, 31% of the total. The top 5 together took $672M, 70% of what all 49 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Romance Release of 1989, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1989.
- 1 Oct 13, 1989 US and Canada: $140.1M Rest of the world: $156.9M Worldwide: $297M
- 2 Sep 15, 1989 US and Canada: $58.6M Rest of the world: $52.3M Worldwide: $110.9M
- 3 Nov 22, 1989 US and Canada: $84.6M Rest of the world: $12.1M Worldwide: $96.8M
- 4 Jul 12, 1989 US and Canada: $93.1M Rest of the world: $157.6K Worldwide: $93.3M
- 5 Dec 22, 1989 US and Canada: $43.9M Rest of the world: $30.3M Worldwide: $74.1M
- 6
Nov 17, 1989 US and Canada: $60.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.9M - 7
Feb 10, 1989 US and Canada: $22M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22M - 8
Apr 4, 1989 US and Canada: $20.8M Rest of the world: $733.8K Worldwide: $21.5M - 9
Mar 3, 1989 US and Canada: $19.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.7M - 10
Feb 3, 1989 US and Canada: $18.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.7M - 11
Oct 13, 1989 US and Canada: $18.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.4M - 12
Mar 10, 1989 US and Canada: $16.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $16.3M - 13
Dec 15, 1989 US and Canada: $14.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.3M - 14
Oct 20, 1989 US and Canada: $11.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.6M - 15
Nov 8, 1989 US and Canada: $10.2M Rest of the world: $112 Worldwide: $10.2M - 16
Mar 3, 1989 US and Canada: $8.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.8M - 17
Dec 13, 1989 US and Canada: $7.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.8M - 18
Jul 21, 1989 US and Canada: $7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7M - 19
Aug 30, 1989 US and Canada: $6.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.1M - 20
Mar 3, 1989 US and Canada: $5.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.6M - 21
Apr 14, 1989 US and Canada: $4.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.8M - 22
Oct 11, 1989 US and Canada: $4.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.6M - 23
May 5, 1989 US and Canada: $4.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.3M - 24
May 12, 1989 US and Canada: $3.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.9M - 25
Oct 27, 1989 US and Canada: $3.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.7M - 26
Sep 13, 1989 US and Canada: $3.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $3.6M - 27
Apr 14, 1989 US and Canada: $2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $2M - 28
Oct 21, 1989 US and Canada: $1.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.8M - 29
May 19, 1989 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M - 30
May 15, 1989 US and Canada: $1.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.6M - 31
Oct 1, 1989 US and Canada: $1.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.2M - 32
Nov 17, 1989 US and Canada: $1.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $1.1M - 33
May 5, 1989 US and Canada: $960.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $960.4K - 34
May 14, 1989 US and Canada: $764.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $764.8K - 35
Feb 1, 1989 US and Canada: $510.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $510.7K - 36
May 5, 1989 US and Canada: $444.1K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $444.1K - 37
Aug 18, 1989 US and Canada: $216.4K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $216.4K - 38
May 12, 1989 US and Canada: $201.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $201.5K - 39
Apr 14, 1989 US and Canada: $147.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $147.5K - 40
Sep 15, 1989 US and Canada: $117.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $117.5K - 41
Oct 21, 1989 US and Canada: $111.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $111.7K - 42
Sep 8, 1989 US and Canada: $76.6K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $76.6K - 43
May 4, 1989 US and Canada: $70.9K Rest of the world: $4.7K Worldwide: $75.7K - 44
May 15, 1989 US and Canada: $67.9K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $67.9K - 45
Nov 3, 1989 US and Canada: $43.7K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $43.7K - 46
Oct 27, 1989 US and Canada: $41.5K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $41.5K - 47
Apr 28, 1989 US and Canada: $27.8K Rest of the world: Worldwide: $27.8K - 48
Mar 4, 1989 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.6K - 49
Apr 22, 1989 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $531
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1989?
Of the top 10, Harlem Nights (1989) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Look Who's Talking (1989) made 53% of its gross abroad. Across all 49 films, $706.3M (74%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Look Who's Talking (1989) $297M $140.1M US & Canada · 47% $156.9M elsewhere · 53%
- 2 Sea of Love (1989) $110.9M $58.6M US & Canada · 53% $52.3M elsewhere · 47%
- 3 Steel Magnolias (1989) $96.8M $84.6M US & Canada · 87% $12.1M elsewhere · 13%
- 4 When Harry Met Sally... (1989) $93.3M $93.1M US & Canada · 100% $157.6K elsewhere · <1%
- 5 Always (1989) $74.1M $43.9M US & Canada · 59% $30.3M elsewhere · 41%
- 6 Harlem Nights (1989) $60.9M $60.9M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 Cousins (1989) $22M $22M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Say Anything... (1989) $21.5M $20.8M US & Canada · 97% $733.8K elsewhere · 3%
- 9 Skin Deep (1989) $19.7M $19.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 10 Her Alibi (1989) $18.7M $18.7M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
Gross bands
How Many 1989 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
2 of 49 films crossed $100M and took $407.9M between them, 43% of the total. 34 films, 69% of the list, earned under $10M.
43% 50%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 2 films, 4% of the list $407.9M · 43% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 13 films, 27% of the list $477.7M · 50% of the gross
- Under $10M 34 films, 69% of the list $73.2M · 8% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1989 Earned the Most?
October releases took the most, $338.5M from 9 films, led by Look Who's Talking (1989). August was the quietest month ($6.3M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- February Feb Cousins (1989) $41.2M Cousins (1989)
- March Mar Skin Deep (1989) $50.3M Skin Deep (1989)
- April Apr Say Anything... (1989) $28.5M Say Anything... (1989)
- May May Listen to Me (1989) $14M Listen to Me (1989)
- June Jun No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- July Jul When Harry Met Sally... (1989) $100.2M When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
- August Aug Shirley Valentine (1989) $6.3M Shirley Valentine (1989)
- September Sep Sea of Love (1989) $114.6M Sea of Love (1989)
- October Oct Look Who's Talking (1989) $338.5M Look Who's Talking (1989)
- November Nov Steel Magnolias (1989) $169M Steel Magnolias (1989)
- December Dec Always (1989) $96.2M Always (1989)
Last 10 years
How Does 1989 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1988 earned the most: $1.4B from 70 films, led by Coming to America (1988). 1989 took $958.8M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 32 films | 32 | $438.9M | – | The Blue Lagoon (1980) $58.9M |
| 1981 30 films · +57% | 30 | $688.4M | +57% | Superman II (1981) $216.4M |
| 1982 30 films · −21% | 30 | $542.5M | −21% | Tootsie (1982) $177.2M |
| 1983 34 films · +2% | 34 | $551.9M | +2% | Terms of Endearment (1983) $108.4M |
| 1984 52 films · +54% | 52 | $850.6M | +54% | Romancing the Stone (1984) $86.6M |
| 1985 36 films · −13% | 36 | $739.4M | −13% | Out of Africa (1985) $227.5M |
| 1986 51 films · +60% | 51 | $1.2B | +60% | Top Gun (1986) $357.3M |
| 1987 58 films · −21% | 58 | $933.1M | −21% | Dirty Dancing (1987) $214.6M |
| 1988 70 films · +48% | 70 | $1.4B | +48% | Coming to America (1988) $288.8M |
| 1989 49 films · −31% | 49 | $958.8M | −31% | Look Who's Talking (1989) $297M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Romance Movies Speak in 1989?
English-language romance films took $935.6M across 44 films, 98% of the total, ahead of French-language romance films ($3.4M) and Tamil-language romance films ($7.6K).
Archive
Romance Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1919 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2008 leads with $7.3B, led by Mamma Mia! (2008).
2020s 7 years · $9.1B
2010s 10 years · $33.7B
- 2019 $4B #1 Aladdin (2019)
- 2018 $2.9B #1 A Star Is Born (2018)
- 2017 $3.7B #1 Beauty and the Beast (2017)
- 2016 $3.3B #1 La La Land (2016)
- 2015 $3.1B #1 Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
- 2014 $2.9B #1 The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
- 2013 $2.3B #1 The Great Gatsby (2013)
- 2012 $4B #1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
- 2011 $2.9B #1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
- 2010 $4.6B #1 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
2000s 10 years · $45.5B
- 2009 $6.6B #1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- 2008 $7.3B #1 Mamma Mia! (2008)
- 2007 $4.1B #1 Enchanted (2007)
- 2006 $3.7B #1 Happy Feet (2006)
- 2005 $5.5B #1 King Kong (2005)
- 2004 $4.5B #1 Meet the Fockers (2004)
- 2003 $3.7B #1 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- 2002 $3.1B #1 My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
- 2001 $3.9B #1 Pearl Harbor (2001)
- 2000 $3.2B #1 What Women Want (2000)
1990s 10 years · $25.7B
- 1999 $3.1B #1 Notting Hill (1999)
- 1998 $3.6B #1 Armageddon (1998)
- 1997 $4.2B #1 Titanic (1997)
- 1996 $2.3B #1 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
- 1995 $2.5B #1 Pocahontas (1995)
- 1994 $2.7B #1 Forrest Gump (1994)
- 1993 $1.8B #1 Indecent Proposal (1993)
- 1992 $2B #1 The Bodyguard (1992)
- 1991 $1.6B #1 Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- 1990 $1.8B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $8.3B
- 1989 $958.8M #1 Look Who's Talking (1989)
- 1988 $1.4B #1 Coming to America (1988)
- 1987 $933.1M #1 Dirty Dancing (1987)
- 1986 $1.2B #1 Top Gun (1986)
- 1985 $739.4M #1 Out of Africa (1985)
- 1984 $850.6M #1 Romancing the Stone (1984)
- 1983 $551.9M #1 Terms of Endearment (1983)
- 1982 $542.5M #1 Tootsie (1982)
- 1981 $688.4M #1 Superman II (1981)
- 1980 $438.9M #1 The Blue Lagoon (1980)
1970s 10 years · $1.8B
- 1979 $342.1M #1 10 (1979)
- 1978 $628.2M #1 Grease (1978)
- 1977 $424.9M #1 Saturday Night Fever (1977)
- 1976 $141M #1 A Star Is Born (1976)
- 1975 $15.7M #1 Once Is Not Enough (1975)
- 1974 $117M #1 Benji (1974)
- 1973 $81.3M #1 The Way We Were (1973)
- 1972 $1.4M #1 Bombay to Goa (1972)
- 1971 $10.5M #1 Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
- 1970 $18.7M #1 Getting Straight (1970)
1960s 10 years · $620.8M
- 1969 $15M #1 Paint Your Wagon (1969)
- 1968 $52.3M #1 Funny Girl (1968)
- 1967 $109.5M #1 The Graduate (1967)
- 1966 $146.4K #1 A Man and a Woman (1966)
- 1965 $272.3M #1 The Sound of Music (1965)
- 1964 $83.8M #1 My Fair Lady (1964)
- 1963 $62.7M #1 Cleopatra (1963)
- 1962 $600.8K #1 Jules and Jim (1962)
- 1961 $5.7M #1 Mother and a Guest (1961)
- 1960 $18.9M #1 The Apartment (1960)
1950s 10 years · $378.8M
- 1959 $52M #1 Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- 1958 $10.7M #1 Vertigo (1958)
- 1957 $4M #1 An Affair to Remember (1957)
- 1956 $63.5M #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
- 1955 $94.2M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $13.8M #1 An Inspector Calls (1954)
- 1953 $3.6M #1 Dangerous When Wet (1953)
- 1952 $38.5M #1 The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- 1951 $2.1M #1 The Girl on the Bridge (1951)
- 1950 $96.4M #1 Cinderella (1950)
1940s 10 years · $456.6M
- 1949 $88.8K #1 The Passionate Friends (1949)
- 1948 $191.5K #1 The Red Shoes (1948)
- 1947 $1M #1 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
- 1946 $44.9M #1 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
- 1945 $684.7K #1 Meet Me in St. Louis (1945)
- 1944 $6 #1 The Uninvited (1944)
- 1943 $4.7M #1 Casablanca (1943)
- 1942 $1.9M #1 Reunion in France (1942)
- 1941 $25.5K #1 The Lady Eve (1941)
- 1940 $403M #1 Gone with the Wind (1940)
1930s 10 years · $188.1M
- 1939 $931.5K #1 Wuthering Heights (1939)
- 1938 $185.2M #1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938)
- 1937 $17.5K #1 Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)
- 1936 $1.4M #1 Born to Dance (1936)
- 1935 $528.1K #1 Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
- 1934 $46.8K #1 It Happened One Night (1934)
- 1933 $2.5K #1 42nd Street (1933)
- 1932 $1.2K #1 Trouble in Paradise (1932)
- 1931 $8.3K #1 Marius (1931)
- 1930 $1.2K #1 Madam Satan (1930)
1920s 7 years · $10.1M
1910s 1 year · $160
FAQ
Romance Box Office 1989: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 49 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing romance movie in 1989?
Look Who's Talking (1989) leads with $297M worldwide, $140.1M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Sea of Love (1989) at $110.9M and Steel Magnolias (1989) at $96.8M.
How much did romance movies released in 1989 earn?
49 romance films released in 1989 report a worldwide gross, $958.8M in all, or $19.6M per film on average. 1988 releases took $1.4B.
How many romance movies released in 1989 made $1 billion?
None. 2 films crossed $100 million, led by Look Who's Talking (1989) with $297M.
How is the 1989 romance box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 1989. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the 1989 romance box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.